Olive Oil for Beauty

A bit of background
I always knew there was something very special about the glistening golden liquid my Italian grandmothers used for cooking. They cherished the substance and wouldn't dream of cooking a meal without it. I learned early on that olive oil was important in keeping meals tasting wonderful and the family healthy. While my last name, Firenze, translates directly into the word Florence, the capital of Tuscany (known for its intense and robust olive oils), all four of grandparents came from the towns near Genoa in Liguria, a region known for its fine, buttery olive oils.

A bit of history
Bordering France on the west, the region of Liguria includes countless picturesque Riviera towns with olive groves adorning the terraced hillsides. Portofino, Santa Margherita and La Cinque Terra are well-known travel spots. A lesser known town in the region, but a must-see for olive oil lovers, is the town of Imperia, which is home to the famous Museo dell’Olivo - Olive Tree Museum. Set in a beautiful art nouveau building, constructed during the 1920’s, the Fratelli Carli olive oil corporation houses this private museum, known as the “queen of all olive oil museums”. The elegant rooms portray the olive tree as the symbol of Mediterranean life and display artifacts highlighting the leading role of olive oil in the economic, spiritual, technical and artistic life of humanity.

Tip: Olio per la belleza
One of the themes at the museum is Olio per la belleza (olive oil for beauty). A centuries-old beauty tip is to remove dry, flaky skin using olive oil and sea salt. Use #49 in The Passionate Olive is: Exfoliate with an olive oil salt glow. You can have beautiful smooth and glowing skin with the regular use of a completely natural exfoliator. Mix 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil with 1 tablespoon of coarse-grained sea salt. Massage onto your body; then shower and your skin will feel smoother instantly.

Look for additional tips soon. If you can’t wait, please order a book and a bottle from Olinda Ridge or visit www.thepassionateolive.com.

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